Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Plimmerton rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Plimmerton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Plimmerton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.